The New York Giants are bringing back a familiar face to help bolster their offensive line depth. According to Mike Garafolo, the Giants are signing veteran offensive lineman Justin Pugh to their practice squad.
Giants signing Justin Pugh to practice squad
Big Blue’s offensive line has been disastrous this season, causing the team to implode and plummet to a 1-3 record. After losing two more offensive linemen to injuries in Week 4, the Giants’ front office decided to bring in Pugh as a reinforcement.
New York held Pugh for a workout a couple of weeks ago as they contemplated adding depth to their offensive line. Following a Week 4 performance in which the front line surrendered 11 sacks, Pugh has officially been added to the squad.
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Pugh’s second stint with Big Blue
Pugh will be entering his second stint with the Giants after spending the first five seasons of his career with New York. The team’s first-round draft pick in 2013, Pugh spent five years in MetLife Stadium before departing in free agency during the 2018 offseason.
The past five seasons of Pugh’s career were spent as a starter on the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line. Pugh made 56 starts for the Cardinals since 2018, primarily playing left guard. His 2022 season was off to a solid start before being cut short by a season-ending ACL tear.
Pugh has since said that his knee recovery has been “going great.” Now healthy and ready to compete, Pugh will return to Big Blue as an expected backup. But with a slew of injuries decimating New York’s offensive line this season, it is highly possible that Pugh will see regular-season playing time.